The festival, set at several Riviera Maya resorts, will feature taste-offs, chef competitions and tastings of mescal and wine.

Why hold the event in Riviera Maya, a slice of the Mexican coastline that stretches south from Cancun along the Caribbean?

“The region is becoming a mecca for culinary enthusiasts,” said Darío Flota, director of the region’s marketing office. Local chefs have developed a fusion of traditional and contemporary, indigenous and international cuisine, he said.

“The festival is a great way for us to showcase Riviera Maya’s diverse dining scene as well as the immense talent and anthology of international tastes that come together in the region,” Flota said.